Demountable guide disk for cross rolls



Feb. 25, 1936.

A. P. DIESCHER DEMOUNTABLE GUIDE DISK FOR CROSS ROLLS 4 Filed Nov. 29, 1935 Marl, W+JM ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 25, 1936 DEMOUNTABLE, GUIDE DISK FOR cnoss ROLLS August P. Dieschen-Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Diescher Tube Mills, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pin, a corporation of Delaware Applica-tionNovember 29, 1933, Serial No. 700,170

IQIaims. (CL 308-58) My invention relates to cross-roll apparatus, and particularly to demounta'ble guide disks for cross-roll mills of the kind shown and described in the patent to Samuel E. Diescher, No. 1,870,209, having guide disks for the tubular blanks being rolled which are operated at peripheral speeds much higherthan the longitudinal progression of the tubular blanks through the mill. Operation at such high relative speeds in contact with the hot metal of the tubular blanks, together with the relatively'high pressure exerted by the guide disks upon the tubular blanks, causes the engagingsurfaces of the guide disks to weanand accordingly it is occasionally necessary on this account to remove and replace the guide disks.

The curvature of the grooved outer peripheral surfaces of the guide disks should'be varied with any material change in the diameter of the tubes being rolled. Accordingly, in case tubes of substantially different diameter are to be produced in the cross-roll mill, it is necessary to change,

the guide disks in order that the latter may be of such contour as to properly guide the tubes being rolled.

Inasmuch as'the guide disks are relatively heavy, hoisting apparatus such as that including a sling is necessary for handling the guide disks. During their removal or replacement considerable time may be required to exchange the disks unless special provisions are made, whereby such removal or replacement may be effected without the removal or lateral shifting of the supporting shafts for the guide disks, their bearings and other associated supporting and driving parts. The removal of the guide disks together with their, drivingshafts also necessitates that the latter be disconnected from their driving means before removal and that they be connected thereto when they have been placed in operative position. All of these operations require considerable time.

It is an object of the present invention'to provide an arrangement whereby guide disks may be changed with relative ease by the moving of a comparatively small portion of the guide disk structure.

It is also an object of myinvention to so arrange the supporting and driving structures for the guide disks that they may be easily and conveniently adjusted to their working positions or to permit removal or replacement of detachable portions of the guide disks.

In accordance with'my present invention, I arrange that each guide disk comprises a detachable and removable annular portion which. includes the grooved outer or peripheral portion that engages the tubular blanks passing through the cross rolls. The inner, permanent portion of the disk is carried at one end of a main shaft and comprises a central part or hub on which the detachable annular portion or member is seated and a flange to which the detachable anon forradial support of the detachable portion. 10 The hub is most desirablyof relatively small diameter'and may be of smaller diameter than the shaft. This has the advantage of reducing the likelihood of the seating of the disk being disturbed by the eiiec tsof expansion resulting from 15 its being heated. The shaft has a reduced portion or stub which extends beyond the disk, and the inner, permanent portion of the disk and this stub are most desirably integral with the shaft. 20

.Bearings are provided for the main shaft and for the stub that areaxially movable with respect to the supporting structure therefor. The

main shaft is movable endwise with its support- 5 ing bearings, and the stub is separable from its bearing, whereby relative axial movement of the bearings eifects a separation of the stub and its bearings. The detachable portion of the disk is removed and replaced through the passageway 30 thus provided.

' The details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of a cross-roll mill embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a view in transverse sec tion taken on line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a reduced side elevation of a disk of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV--IV of Fig. 3;. and Fig. 5- is a plan view of a disk and a portion of the frame adjacent thereto, partsbeing omitted for the sake of clearness.

The cross-roll mill I comprises two helically acting cross rolls 2 and 3 and twoguide disks 4 and 5 mounted on opposite sides of the pass line of the mill withtheir axes extending transversely the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging a tubular blank 6 being treated by the mill. A mandrel 1 is illustrated within the tubular blank for sup-- porting the walls of the latter during cross rolling.

of the pass line and in position to extend between The annular member 8 is seated on a hub 60 one side thereof to receive the flange II) to which it is secured by means of suitably spaced bolts four being shown by way of example. A key I2 locks the flange Hi and the annular member 8 for rotation together.

The flange l8 and hub |8a are carried at the end of and are preferably integral with ashaft 3 that extends at right angles to the plane of the disk 5 and has connected to its outer end a driving spindle H. The, shaft l3, which may be termed the main shaft, is supported adjacent the disk 5 by a main bearing l5, which may be of any suitable roller type, that is mounted within a relatively long shell l8.

- The shaft I3 is also provided with a double thrust bearing |1 mounted in theshell IS in order to resist a working thrust of the disk 5 to the right caused by its engagement with the rapidly rotating tubular blank 6 or a thrust in the opposite direction caused by a "cobble or jam of a spoiled work piece in the mill. A bearing I8, also mounted in the shell I 6 and spaced a considerable is provided with a downwardly extending lugv 20 to which is secured a screw bar 2| having a screw-threaded portion 22 for engagement by a worm gear 23. The latter may be driven by a worm 24 by means of any suitable mechanism, not shown.

The outer end of the screw bar 2| is provided with a square portion 25 for engagement by any suitable tool by means of which screw bar 2| may, during the assembling of the machine, be turned independently of the operation of the worm gear 23 to bring its collar 28 against lug 28 preparatory to keying the screw bar 2| in permanent position against rotation.

It will be noted that the shaft I3 and the bearings l5, l1 and I8 are all moved with the shell l8 when the shell is moved endwise by the mechanisms previously described. This axial movement of the shaft I3 and the spindle H is permitted in practice by the provision of suitable splined coupling members, not shown, connected to the spindle.

The main shaft l3 has integral therewith at its inner end a stub 21 extending in prolongation thereof beyond the hub I0a. A hollow sleeve 28 into the end of which the stub 21 fits has in its end two diametrically opposite slots 29, Figs. 1 and 2,

to receive the ends of a pin or key 30 extending through the stub, for the purpose of insuring that the sleeve 28 rotates with the stub when these parts telescope with each other. bushing 3| within the annular member 8 surrounds the hub llla. The purpose of the bushing 3| is to avoid harm from wear of the stub 21 and,

to permit replacement of the bushing alone in the event that repeated mounting and removal bring about wear so that the bushing becomes too loose on the shaft.

The sleeve 28 is rotatably mounted within a shell 32 by means of suitable roller bearings 33 and 34, the rollers of bearing 34 being set flat to permit expansion of the sleeve. The shell 32 is supported upon the framework IQ for slidable axial movement as in the case of the shell I6. It

A centering is adapted to be moved by mechanism similar in construction and arrangement to that described in connection with the shell l8, similar reference numerals being applied to the parts thereof.

It may be assumed that it is desired to remove the detachable portion 8 of the guide disk 5 and to replace it with a similar detachable member, The shell 32, together with the sleeve 28 and the bearings therefor, may be moved outwardly to the right, as viewed in Fig. l, by operation of the worm gear mechanism for shifting its screw bar 2| and the lug 20 connected thereto, to the right. The provision of the slot 28 and the pin or key 30 therein permits the endwise movement of this structure without interference by the stub 21. The endwise movement may extend for any desired distance for which the shell 32 may be arranged to separate the end of the shell, having a water shield 35 thereon, and the outer end of the stub 21.

The bolts H are then removed, suitable hoisting apparatus being connected to the detachable member 8 at any convenient stage of the operation in order that it may be supported thereby when it is removed from the radial flange H). The shell l8, together with the shaft l3 and the bearings therefor, is then moved to"th"e"'left to cause the annular member 8 to engage suitable liners or shims 36 placed against spaced abutments 31, Fig. 5, on the framework 3. Then by further movement of the shaft l3 and connected parts the flange l8 and hub Ina and stub 21 are withdrawn from the disk member 8. The disk member 8 may then be removed transversely of the shaft.

When a new detachable disk member has been brought into position through the passageway provided by the withdrawal of the shaft I3, the shaft l3 and its connected parts may be moved to the right while the new annular disk member is held against suitable liners or shims placed against abutments 38 to force the member with its centering bushing 3| on to the hub Ina and against the flange. III as they are moved inward. The bolts II are inserted when the new member 8 is in operative position on the shaft 3. The innermost positions of the lugs 28 and their connected parts are limited by the frame I9 to prevent jamming of the several roller and ball bearings in the event of over travel of the shells l8 and 32 caused by operation of the screw bars 2|.

During the operation of the mill, the disk 5. as well as the disk 4, is operated at a relatively high speed. It will be appreciated that the major portion of the stresses to which the disk is subjected will be sustained by the main shaft I 3 and its bearing supports. However, in case of such stress as to cause even a slight deflection of the shaft l3, the stub 21 will bear on the interior of the sleeve 28 and the latter will support the stub 21 and prevent any further or harmful deflection of the main shaft l3. The bearing 33 is not intended, however, to carry at any time other than a minor portion of the load transmitted by the disk 5.

By axial adjustment of the disk-carrying shafts by means'of the screw bars 2| the guide disks may be adjusted axially to bring their peripheral edges into desired relationship to the cross-rolls, and such adjustment may be made either when the mill is not in operation or during operation of the mill. Most desirably, each disk is set with its periphery closer to the cross-roll which rotates the workpiece toward the disk than to the other cross-roll, as shown in Fig. 1, and as shown and described in the patent of Samuel E. Diescher, No. 1,951,348, dated March 20, 1934. When so adjusted, the disks are slightly offset axially.

According to my invention, the guide disks may be easily and conveniently removed or replaced without disturbing the bearing supports therefor otherwise than to move them relatively short distances axially. The provision of the stub which,v when the parts are in operating position,

is keyed within a rotatably mounted support therefor permits the separation of these members. easily and conveniently for the removal of the guide disk, or for other purposes, and they may be assembled in cooperative relation with the same ease and convenience when a new guide disk member has been positioned on the main shaft.

By reason of the provision of a guide disk having a detachable portion, the weight to be handled is materially less than in the case of a complete disk with its driving shaft, and only a relatively small axial space is required for the removal and replacement of the detachable portion.

The foregoing and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art relating to cross-roll mills.

I claim:

1. In a cross-rolling tube mill having a pair of cross-rolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, axially movable bearing means for said shaft, a removable guide disk member detachably mounted on said shaft at the inner end thereof beyond said bearing means and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, supporting means for the inner end of said shaft beyond said disk member, and means for moving the shaft bearing means axially for adjusting the disk member axially relatively to the cross-rolls and for withdrawing the shaft from said supporting means and from the disk member'to permit the disk member to be removed transversely of the shaft.

2. In a cross-rolling tube mill having a pair of cross-rolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, axially movable bearing means for said shaft, a removable guide disk member detachably mounted on said shaft at the inner end thereof beyond said bearing means and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, a stub extending beyond said disk member from the inner end of the shaft, a rotatably mounted support for said stub, and means for moving the shaft bearing means axially to withdraw said stub from said support and the end of the shaft from the disk member to permit the disk member to be removed transversely of the shaft.

3. In a cross-rolling tube mill having a pair of cross-rolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, bearing means for said shaft, a removable guide disk member detachably mounted on said shaft at the inner end thereof beyond said bearing means and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, means for moving the shaft axially for adjusting the disk member axially relatively to the cross-rolls and for withdrawing the shaft from the disk member to permit the disk member to be' removed transversely of the shaft, and means for holding the disk member against axial movement when the shaft is moved axially to withdraw it from the disk member.

4. In a cross-rolling tube millhaving a pair of cross-rolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, bearing means for said shaft, said shaft having at its inner end beyond said bearing means a flange and a hub extending axially inward from the flange, a removable guide disk member seated on said hub and detachably secured to said flange and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, and means for moving the shaft axially for adjusting the disk member axially relatively to the cross-rolls and for withdrawing the hub and flange from the disk member to permit the disk member to be removed transversely of the shaft.

-5. In a cross-rolling tube mill having a pair of cross-rolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, a removable guide disk member detachably mounted on said shaft at the inner end thereof and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, a housing mounted for movement axially of the shaft, bearings for the shaft mounted within said housing, and means for moving the housing to withdraw the shaft axially from the disk member to permit the disk member to be removed transversely of the shaft and for ad justing the disk member axially relatively to the cross-rolls. I

6. In a cross-rolling tube mill having a pair of 'crossrolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, a non-rotating housing in which said shaft is rotatably mounted and held against axial movement relative thereto and which housing is mounted for movement axially of the shaft carrying the shaft withit in such axial movement, a removable guide disk member detachably mounted on said shaft at the inner end thereof beyond said housing and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, supporting means for the inner end of said shaft beyond said disk member comprising a member rotatable with the shaft and axially movable relative thereto, and means for moving said housing to withdraw the shaft axially from said supporting means and from the disk member to permit the disk member to be removed transversely of the shaft and for adjusting the disk member axially relatively to the cross-rolls.

7. In a cross-rolling tube mill having a pair of cross-rolls, a driving shaft extending transversely of the pass line of the mill at one side of the cross-rolls, a non-rotating housing in which said shaft is rotatably mounted and held against axial movement relative thereto and which housing is mounted for movement axially of the shaft carrying the shaft with it in such axial movement. a removable guide disk member detachably mounted on said shaft at the inner end thereof beyond said housing and extending between the cross-rolls for peripherally engaging tubes passing through the mill, a stub extending beyond said disk member from the inner end of the shaft, a supportfor said stub, and a housing mounted for movement axially of the shaft in which said support is rotatably mounted.

' AUGUST P. DIESCHER." 

